A word from John...

While I don’t suggest for one moment that my way is the best way, or indeed my way is the only way, this is the way I live it and breathe it, and I’m happy to share a simple outline of it here and let you decide what its value is to you.

There is a mix of principles which connect through everything I do, and while that encompasses such things as vision, planning, organizational culture, stretching beyond boundaries and so on, essentially, at the core of it all, is consideration of the individual.

It is about the whole person, not just the staff member, the cricketer, the volunteer, etc. or how best we can use a person’s skills to benefit the bottom line, or achieve company results. It’s about valuing the individual and his or her needs to develop intellectually, emotionally, technically, socially and spiritually.

It is about helping people. All of us need help in some way or other. I try to assist the people I meet every day of my life to feel a little bit better about themselves, to be a little bit better at sport or work or home, or to maybe have a clearer direction to what they want to be or what they can achieve.

Ultimately, in understanding your self, accepting your self, and then loving your self for who you are, your personal style, your methods of communication become consistent. People understand you and what you stand for. This is the basis of strong and true relationships with your staff, family, peers and adversaries.

It is from this point that managing, coaching, leading other people can begin.